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Opinion

Commentary: Decision to drop Stevens charges was fair

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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April 07, 2009 01:34 PM

This editorial appeared in The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Prosecutors should have one goal when they agree to proceed with a case: justice. And they follow a well–established rule book in seeking that goal.

Breaking the rules taints the prosecution and is unacceptable, no matter who the defendant.

But breaking the rules in a blockbuster prosecution involving a sitting U.S. senator makes for high–profile embarrassment.

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Missteps in the prosecution of former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens led Attorney General Eric Holder to ask a judge Wednesday to dismiss all charges, even though a jury had voted for conviction on seven felony counts of ethics violations.

It was no joke – and no cause for laughter.

To read the complete editorial, visit The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

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